Washington (CNN) - Around half the public says they support another congressional investigation into the Benghazi attack, according to a new national poll.

The reason?

The ABC News/Washington Post survey indicates that nearly six in ten say the Obama administration has tried to cover up the facts on the September 11, 2012 attack, which left U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.

Steven's death was the first time a U.S. ambassador had been killed on duty in more than 30 years. The Benghazi attack has become a partisan flashpoint around the Obama administration's conduct of foreign policy. Republicans have sharply criticized the administration's handling of the matter from security preparations beforehand, to its response during the attack, and its slow-to-evolve public explanation after-the-fact.

And they have targeted the State Department, and especially Clinton, who is seriously considering a second run for the White House. If Clinton decides to launch a campaign, she'd instantly become the overwhelming front runner for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

According to the poll, 51% say they support another congressional investigation, with 42% saying the incident's been investigated enough already. As you can imagine, the survey indicates a wide partisan divide. Seventy-two percent of Republicans questioned say they back the new investigation, but that number drops to 52% among independents and just 31% among Democrats.

Fifty-eight percent say the Obama administration has tried to cover up the facts, with 32% saying it has honestly disclosed what it knows about what happened in Benghazi. Again there's a large partisan gap, with 84% of Republicans, 65% of independents, but only 30% of Democrats saying the administration has tried to cover things up.

Half of those questioned say they disapprove of how Clinton handled the attack, with 37% saying the approve. Once again, there's a partisan divide, with 78% of Republicans, 58% of independents, but only 22% of Democrats giving the former secretary of state a thumbs down on how she handled the incident.

Clinton testified about the attack last year in front of House and Senate hearings. But Republicans say there are still questions left unanswered.

Clinton said earlier this year that Benghazi was her biggest regret during the four years she served as America's top diplomat.

"It was a terrible tragedy losing four Americans, two diplomats and now it is public so I can say two CIA operatives," Clinton said at a speech in New Orleans.

With the much anticipated release of "Hard Choices," Clinton's memoir of her years as American's top diplomat, just a week away, GOP attacks on her have increased.

Last week the chapter of the book that deals with Benghazi was leaked. As reported by Politico, the chapter highlights Clinton's defense of how she responded to the attack, as well as criticism of Republicans who Clinton says play politics with the deadly assault.

In the chapter, Clinton writes, "As Secretary I was the one ultimately responsible for my people's safety, and I never felt that responsibility more deeply than I did that day."

Clinton, writing in "Hard Choices," also appeared to suggest that she won't take part in the investigation or any of the committee's hearings.

"I will not be a part of a political slugfest on the backs of dead Americans," Clinton writes. "It's just plain wrong, and it's unworthy of our great country. Those who insist on politicizing the tragedy will have to do so without me," wrote Clinton.

CNN Senior Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh contributed to this story

soundoff(109 Responses)

You would think all the resources spent on this, could have gone along way to solving the problem, but 50 repeal votes shows their lackeys they have their priorities straight. Time intended to work on moving our country forward is better spent campaigning on your tax dime, do the Koch brothers are having their ideaology broadcast 24/7, and we pay for it, enough of this nonsense, if they refuse yo do something for us, vote them out, while you still can.

I have heard for months now that America has moved on from this tragedy from the gang. They keep telling us day in and day out that nobody cares. Then this poll comes out with essentially 6 in 10 independents wanting to know more about what happened that night. The gang's response? They're too stupid to understand. Such incredible condescension. It's almost as good as when they say that people are voting against their own interest as if they know what's better for people. The arrogance is amazing.

Bur, then again, what do I know? I'm now with the terrorists according to rs and company because I have concerns about President Obama going around the law to do what he wants.

Let me ask you a question just asking, can you draw a dot on a chart, representing where the economy was when George w.took charge, now draw a dot where it was when he left, that's the dot we'll use as Obama starting point, now draw a dot where we're at now, now was that easy enough for you, its literally undeniable, the gop has no clue.

June 3, 2014 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Luc

GOP think the ACA, Benghazi, are the answer to them winning 2014 and 2016. why not try coming up with some real ideas to run the country. See you in 2024. LOL